The COVID-19 lockdown represents a new challenge for mental health researchers and clinical practitioners. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress in postpartum Mexican women. The study included 293, 4–12-week postpartum women over the age of 18. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), Trait-State Trait Anxiety Inventory (T-STAI), and Ten Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), which are all questionnaires validated for the Mexican population, were applied using a web-based online survey. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of the maternal age was 29.9 ± 6.3 years; the EPDS score: 11 ± 6, T-STAI score: 41.7 ± 12.3, and PSS-10 score: 17.1 ± 7. The prevalence (95% CI) of the postpartum depression symptoms was 39.2% (34–45%), trait anxiety symptoms were found among 46.1% (32–43%) of the participants, and moderate and high perceived stress were in 58% (52–64) and 10.9% (7.8–15) of the participants, respectively. The prevalence of depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, and perceived stress was higher among postpartum Mexican women during the COVID-19 outbreak than before the lockdown. Our findings highlight the importance of monitoring perinatal mental health during pandemics and the need to design effective psychologic interventions for these patients.

A high-quality diet during pregnancy may have positive effects on fetal growth and nutritional status at birth, and it may modify the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between diet quality and newborn nutritional status in a group of pregnant Mexican women. As part of the ongoing Mexican prospective cohort study, OBESO, we studied 226 healthy pregnant women. We adapted the Alternated Healthy Eating Index-2010 for pregnancy (AHEI-10P). The association between maternal diet and newborn nutritional status was investigated by multiple linear regression and logistic regression models. We applied three 24-h recalls during the second half of gestation. As the AHEI-10P score improved by 5 units, the birth weight and length increased (β = 74.8 ± 35.0 g and β = 0.3 ± 0.4 cm, respectively, p < 0.05). Similarly, the risk of low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA) decreased (OR: 0.47, 95%CI: 0.27–0.82 and OR: 0.55, 95%CI: 0.36–0.85, respectively). In women without preeclampsia and/or GDM, the risk of stunting decreased as the diet quality score increased (+5 units) (OR: 0.62, 95%IC: 0.40–0.96). A high-quality diet during pregnancy was associated with a higher newborn size and a reduced risk of LBW and SGA in this group of pregnant Mexican women.

Nutrition during the first 1000 days of life represents a window of opportunity to reduce the risk of metabolic dysfunctions later in life. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and adequate introduction of solid foods are essential to promote metabolic and nutritional benefits. We evaluated the association of infant feeding practices from birth to 6 months (M) with adiposity indicators at 12 M. We performed a secondary analysis of 106 healthy term infants born from a cohort of healthy pregnant women. Type of breastfeeding (exclusive or nonexclusive), the start of complementary feeding (CF) (before (<4 M) or after (≥4 M)), and adiposity (body mass index – BMI, body mass index-for-age – BMI/A, waist circumference – WC, and waist circumference–length ratio – WLR) were evaluated at 12 M using descriptive statistics, mean differences, X2, and linear regression models. During the first 6 M, 28.3% (n = 30) of the infants received EBF. Early CF (<4 M) was present in 26.4% (n = 28) of the infants. Children who started CF < 4 M were less breastfed, received added sugars as the most frequently introduced food category, and showed higher BMI, BMI/A, WC, and WLR; those who consumed added sugars early (<4 M) had a higher WC. Starting CF < 4 M was the main factor associated with a higher WC at 12 M. Unhealthy infant feeding practices, such as lack of EBF, early CF, and early introduction of sugars, may be associated with higher adiposity at 12 M.

Background/Objectives Fat-mass (FM) assessment since birth using valid methodologies is crucial since excessive adiposity represents a risk factor for adverse metabolic outcomes. Aim: To develop infant FM prediction equations using anthropometry and validate them against air-displacement plethysmography (ADP). Subjects/Methods Clinical, anthropometric (weight, length, body-mass index –BMI–, circumferences, and skinfolds), and FM (ADP) data were collected from healthy-term infants at 1 (n = 133), 3 (n = 105), and 6 (n = 101) months enrolled in the OBESO perinatal cohort (Mexico City). FM prediction models were developed in 3 steps: 1) Variable Selection (LASSO regression), 2) Model behavior evaluation (12-fold cross-validation, using Theil-Sen regressions), and 3) Final model evaluation (Bland-Altman plots, Deming regression). Results Relevant variables in the FM prediction models included BMI, circumferences (waist, thigh, and calf), and skinfolds (waist, triceps, subscapular, thigh, and calf). The R2 of each model was 1 M: 0.54, 3 M: 0.69, 6 M: 0.63. Predicted FM showed high correlation values (r ≥ 0.73, p < 0.001) with FM measured with ADP. There were no significant differences between predicted vs measured FM (1 M: 0.62 vs 0.6; 3 M: 1.2 vs 1.35; 6 M: 1.65 vs 1.76 kg; p > 0.05). Bias were: 1 M −0.021 (95%CI: −0.050 to 0.008), 3 M: 0.014 (95%CI: 0.090–0.195), 6 M: 0.108 (95%CI: 0.046–0.169). Conclusion Anthropometry-based prediction equations are inexpensive and represent a more accessible method to estimate body composition. The proposed equations are useful for evaluating FM in Mexican infants.